danny2034

Hi everyone

I have accepted a job out in Jeddah I will be commuting each day to Kaust. I am due to fly out in a couple of weeks.

I am getting last minute nerves now - not so much about the job and relocation to Saudi Arabia but from the threat of terrorism.

At the end of the day I have 2 very young children .... is it worth the risk ??

I keep on reading about shootings and attacks - do you feel safe out there ?

Victor Meldrew

It is almost 6 years since I lived in Riyadh, so this may affect the accuracy of what I say.

I think the day to day threat of being personally affected by terrorism in the KSA is quite low.

When I was there, there were individual shootings of western males, usually at traffic lights. There were about 3 in the 3 years I was there.

I believe things are a lot more relaxed than they were at that time and general security, from the security forces is a lot more intense and effective, particularly around compounds.

I dont have the figures to prove this (before someone asks), but would say you have more chance of having a car accident crossing the road to the airport in UK, or of choking on a chicken bone from your dinner the night before you leave.

I guess this wouldnt stop you driving, or crossing the road, or eating chicken.

Your anxieties are understandable, and quite normal, particularly considering you have 2 children.

However, the reality of the situation as I see it is that you are no more at risk or personal harm than you would be staying in the UK.

lionheart

Where or what is Kaust?

Victor Meldrew

I just Googled it....

http://www.kaust.edu.sa/about/about.html

I like Google!

Dilmun

Hi there,
we live here with our kids and feel as safe as you can feel living in the ME. Means it is ok, but of course it would be stupid to close your eyes for the risks and you just don't go to certain areas at certain times. But I think that applies nowadays to every western big-city as well.
So, take it easy

danny2034

Thanks all for the advice - I'm not totally 'green' as i have spent a fair bit of time travelling alone throughout the world.

Just the obvious butterflys and nerves - particularly with the family - and the thoughts of the likes of the school commute with a 5 year old.

ctfc

Why would you not live at KAUST itself? The facilities are supposed to be excellent and within the KAUST environment much more liberal eg. no covering required, women can drive etc.

danny2034

Not in the job spec - we will be offering a service to kaust

Bonny Boy

Nothing here in Jeddah worse than in any big city.

I live off compound and drive downtown to work everyday, I run and walk the streets at all hours no problem.

Of course the situation is changeable, as anywhere, but at present it's the driving you need to worry about - not the threat of terrorism.

danny2034

Cheers Bonny - I had recently read so much about shootings at traffic lights and about the poor guy in Riyadh who got purposely knocked off his bike.

medo360

if your worries about terrrsiom ,I think every thing undercountrol ,, everybody just relaxed ,,and no worries .

If you accepted job in kaust ..you should order the kaust compound cuz it's about an hour from jeddah , so you may get tired of driving 100 km every day